With the new knowledge of what the Creetions were up against, Sam and Jack quickly threw their things together and went in search of their team. It was unlikely that several Goa'ulds could live on the planet together if they were not under the control of a more powerful System Lord, which meant a few of the slimy suckers still needed exterminating.
As soon as they stepped outside, Sam noticed her dad sitting on the ground a few feet away from them.
I almost forgot, she told Jack. I need to talk to him.
Go, he told her, I'll find Daniel and Teal'c.
Gathering her courage, she walked over to her dad. "Dad?" She asked not knowing if it was him or Selmac.
"Hi, Sammy," he said with a sad smile. "Selmac keeps telling me I'm overreacting."
"Selmac is a smart, um, person," Sam still wasn't for sure exactly how to refer to her father's symbiote.
"What happened, Sam? Did someone force you into marrying him? And I don't mean pretending to be married, I mean what happened in the room before I walked in."
"No dad," she shook her head. "I willingly bonded with him."
"Bonded?" He looked confused. "I thought Jack said you were married."
"It's the same, but yet it's so much more," Sam really wanted to make her dad understand. "Jack's in here," she pointed to her head. "But I'm also with him. It's kind of like you and Selmac, we are with each other, but we don't share one body."
"If that's true," he said as his eyes widened, "I don't envy you. It's hard having someone else know your every thought, even the ones you'd like to keep private."
"We're both starting to find that out," she admitted. "But unlike you and Selmac, we don't share everything. We can talk to each other and share particularly strong thoughts, but I don't know what he's thinking all the time."
"I guess that's good," he shrugged, but Sam could tell he wasn't for sure what to think.
"At the wedding ceremony, when we initiated the final link and I let him into my mind," the memories filled her mind, "it was like being enveloped in a warm embrace. I'm not going into this expecting constant sunshine and rainbows; I know they'll be some bumps. But dad," she grabbed his hand, needing him to listen, "I love him."
"I know you do," he sounded devastated, but he gave her a small smile. "I think that's why I was so angry. I'm worried he's using this situation to take advantage of you."
"Dad," she chastised him. "Jack would never do something like that."
"I've seen the way he looks at you, Sam." Jacob let out a deep breath. Your positive he didn't order you to sleep with him?" He said with a harsh laugh.
Sam flushed at his choice of words as images from the night before flooded her memory.
Sam, Jack reached out. Making it kinda hard to concentrate here.
Sorry! she answered, as she tried to push the memories away.
Jacob studied her closely, as if trying to make up his mind. "Are you happy?"
"I'm happy, dad."
"At the end of the day, that's what really matters. It's what I've wanted for you from the very beginning," Jacob reaches forward and pulled her into his arms. "I love you, kiddo."
"Love you, too," Sam said as a weight lifted off of her shoulders. She knew her dad would have to accept what had happened, but he'd just given her his blessing.
"He better not call me dad," he said pulling back, causing Sam to laugh. "And just because I'm accepting this, doesn't mean I'm not reserving judgement; father's prerogative." Jacob's smile was devilish. "He might need reminded that I technically still outrank him."
———-POV———-
Jack sensed the moment Sam arrived as a tingling sensation tickled the back of his head. Allowing himself a moment to enjoy the feeling of having her nearby again, he returned to the task at hand.
Jack had been surprised at how easy it was to explain what a Goa'uld was to him and Bethany. As soon as he likened it to a forced bond, they'd recoiled in disgust. Teegan had immediately provided them with a map of the city as they'd identified all the possible locations Goa'ulds would choose to infest.
"Samantha," Bettany nodded in greeting. "I trust you are well after completing your bond?"
Jack found Sam's pinking cheeks adorable as she quickly told Bettany yes. Of course, he hid his smile as Jacob joined the group. He knew her father had would ultimately accept their bond, but very begrudgingly. The scowl on the man's face told Jack there would be hell to pay before all was said and done.
"You wanna catch her up to speed?" Daniel asked Jack.
"No need," Sam said pointing to her head. "I've already got it."
"Right," Daniel drew out the word. "That's gonna take some getting used to."
"Zabar would seem to be the most obvious choice for a Goa'uld," Teegan said, drawing everyone's attention.
"Except that I didn't sense a symbiote," Sam told him.
"You can do that?" Teegan seemed shocked.
"I can, ever since I was blended with the Tok'ra Jolinar," Sam answered, "but considering the cuff blocked some of my other senses, it is possible I missed it."
"I do not believe Zabar is a Goa'uld either," Teal'c interjected. "Since I have not been affected by any technology, my ability to sense a symbiote would not have been affected."
"The most obvious place a snake would hide is in the palace," Jack said pointing to the palace in center of the map. "They can't change their innate nature to be worshipped, so it's most logical that they'd take over someone with power. I'd bet dollars to donuts we'll find the main control unit for the slave cuffs there, too. Carter can rig an electromagnetic pulse to emit from the slave cuff that should render the Goa'uld crystal assembly inoperable."
Jack looked up as no one said anything and into several stunned faces. The only two who didn't seem amazed were Teegan and Bettany.
"What?" He asked confused by their reaction.
"Electromagnetic pulse? Render inoperable?" Daniel said.
"Hey!" Jack protested. "I listen; I know things!"
Sam smothered a chuckle next to him.
"It is odd to hear you explain the scientific part of the plan, O'Neill," Teal'c told him.
"Fine," Jack gestured to Sam, "would you please continue." He was irritated at his friends, but could also understand their reaction.
"As Jack said, an electromagnetic pulse should disrupt the signals that power the Goa'uld cuffs, as long as it's emitted near the main control unit. The Ancient cuffs should be safe, as their technology is not sensitive to electromagnetic energy. It'll take me a few hours to rig the pulse," Sam explained.
"How are we going to get into the palace?" Daniel asked. "I doubt they'll just let us walk in."
"They'll let Jack and Samantha walk in," Teegan interjected. "As far as they are concerned, you are her owner."
"He is right, O'Neill," Teal'c agreed. "Zabar and Omar are the only two who know you bid on Major Carter to save her. Omar appears to be sympathetic toward the resistance; therefore, Zabar would be the only person you need to avoid."
Jack, this may be the only way, Sam told him.
I know, he sighed heavily, but I don't like the idea of you being anywhere near the city.
If this were any other mission, you wouldn't hesitate to carry out the plan, she mentally nudged him.
It's different now; we are different now, he knew that argument wasn't going to fly.
I'm still a Major in the US Air Force and you are still my CO. You might be my husband, but we both have jobs to do.
Jack knew she was right. It was a long shot to even hope both of them would remain on SG-1 after everything that had happened, but if there was any chance, they needed to begin by figuring out how to get the job done.
"Carter and I will go in undercover," Jack told the group. "Daniel, you and Teal'c will find cover somewhere around the palace, if there are any signs of trouble, come in with zats blazing."
At his teammates nods, Jack continued. "Teegan, Bettany; you two spread the word about what is going down tomorrow. Prepare as many people as you can. Once the slave cuffs are useless, there is bound to be chaos. Jacob," he turned to him. "I want you on the Tok'ra ship. Have the rings on standby. Do what you need to do to get my people out of there if things go south."
Jacob nodded, but Jack could tell he loathed the idea of Sam going undercover. Being a military man, however, Jacob also knew this was the best plan.
"You know your assignments; let's get this done so we can go home."